POWERGRAMS

14 "Our board is so dedicated, they make it really easy to accomplish what we're working to do in our community," said Chappell, electrical and instrumentation journeyman. The chapter holds several "big earning" fundraisers annually: cake auctions on Halloween and Valentine's Day; a Sporting Clays Shoot; the Miller Open Golf Tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Oxmoor Valley, that earned $19,000; and a bowling tournament at Vestavia Bowl that earned $1,700. Miller elves scramble to fill Christmas lists Miller APSO members know that Christmas holidays can be a sad time for the less fortunate. That is why, throughout November, Miller APSO puts a heavy emphasis on its Adopt A Child program, Project Coordinator Beth Shumate said. Miller members give Christmas gis to Salvation Army Angels for Jefferson County and children sponsored by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) for Walker County. "We always do two days of Christmas shopping for the kids," Chappell said. In Sumiton, Miller APSO will sponsor 200 children, spending $75 for each child. Project coordinators Shumate, manager - SCM Transactions Procurement, and Tina Valles, buyer - Generation, lead shopping sprees for Angel kids. Miller APSO will write a $15,000 check to the Salvation Army. In Jasper, employees will spend $150 each on Christmas gis for 100 needy kids. Miller APSO takes part in the West Jefferson Festival of Trees. The proceeds benefit West Jefferson Elementary School. The theme of Miller's APSO tree is "Night before Christmas," and will display organizations the chapter has supported throughout the year, Miller APSO Project Coordinator Rachel Edgil said. The event is at the West Jefferson Town Hall Nov. 21-24. Miller APSO has a long-standing relationship with area senior citizen centers. Project Coordinator Jamie Driver said members will fill more than 250 bags for seniors who visit the center, as well as homebound seniors. "Gis include personal hygiene items, paper, pens, candy and seniors' favorite item, which is postage stamps," Driver said. Each year, APSO members wear their red logo shirts and Santa hats while delivering bags at each center. "For some, our smiling faces and the Christmas bag may be the only gis they receive this year," Driver said. Paying good forward Thirteen years ago, Chappell recognized APSO as the perfect avenue to make a difference. He joined the employee volunteer group during his first month at Gaston. "In my own life, so many people have helped me along the way," Chappell said. "When I started working here, I knew that Alabama Power would be a great job for me and my family. I knew I'd be able to help others." Longtime Power Generation Analyst Edgil said serving in APSO has given her the means to "pay it forward" in life. She's enjoyed many opportunities to meet people inside and outside work. "Being in APSO is my way of giving back for what I've received," Edgil said. "I love helping people." by Donna Cope April Christian (left) and Driver decorate Miller APSO's tree Patrick Caffey (left) and Abby Yearby at Sporting Clays Shoot.

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